Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 November 2007,  Official Report, column 392W, on Middle East: peace negotiations, what rank or grade is held by the seconded civil servants to Mr. Blair's office; what their combined salary and expenses costs have been; from what budget these costs are being drawn; what financial and logistical contributions have been made by  (a) the United States of America,  (b) Russia and  (c) the European Union to the United Nations Development Programme Trust Fund to support the work of Mr. Blair and his office; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: holding answer 3 December 2007
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has seconded: one executive officer equivalent; one higher executive officer equivalent; and one senior civil servant equivalent to work in the right hon. Tony Blair's office. The FCO is funding their salaries. It would not be appropriate to give salary details as to do so could reveal individuals' salaries.
	We do not have figures available for each member of the quartet's (US, EU, UN and Russia) contribution to the work of the right hon. Tony Blair as quartet representative.
	We strongly support the work of the right hon. Tony Blair. He is exceptionally well placed to take on this role. His work will be key in delivering a future Palestinian state with strong institutions and a robust economy.